Explain giving reasons: (iii) The transition metals generally form coloured compounds.
Explanation The d-orbital does not have the same energy in all of its orbitals. When the d-orbital comes under the influence of ligands, the d-orbital breaks up into two sets of orbitals with different energies. The transition of electrons occurs from one set of d-orbitals to the other in the same subshell. This transition is known as d-d transitions. The energy difference for this d-d transition falls in the visible region of light. When this light falls on transition metals, a suitable frequency of light is absorbed which causes the d-d transition of electrons and the remaining light is transmitted. This transmitted light imparts a characteristic color to the transition metals. Final Answer Transition metals generally form colored compounds because of the d-d transition.
